Leading Police and Crime Commissioner believes “sensible discussion” needed on cannabis in the UK

Dhindsa joins a growing number of PCCs calling for a rethink on cannabis laws in the UK

100s of cannabis clubs have been founded in the UK in recent years

The British Government rejects all advise to decriminalise or legalise cannabis from top advisers

Hardyal Dhindsa, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) responsible for drug abuse in the UK, made fresh calls for decriminalising cannabis this week.

Dhindsa, the PCC for Derbyshire who and the lead on substance abuse for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, claimed that the war on drugs is not working, saying it was time to have a fresh look at alternatives for tackling drug addiction and use.

Logo for Durham City Cannabis Club

A Home Office spokesman, however, refuted Dhindsa’s argument, saying the Conservative-led government has no plans to decriminalise cannabis for recreational use.

The spokesman said legalising, or decriminalising, cannabis would send the “wrong message,” adding:

“Scientific and medical evidence is clear that recreational cannabis use can cause harm to individuals and society.”

Recent research from America following the legalisation of cannabis in various States, however, contradicts the Government’s official stance on cannabis.

Contrary to the claims that legalising cannabis would “harm society,” a study published in The Economic Journal, found that the rate of violent crime, including murder, aggravated assaults and robberies, fell by 12.5% in counties close to the border with Mexico following the introduction of “medical marijuana laws” (MMLs).

Cannabis is more akin to peace, especially when legalised; contrary to illegal cannabis which encourages street gangs to control the valuable trade

Discussing the study in The Independent, Professor Evelina Gavrilova, said:

“MMLs allow people to grow and cultivate marijuana plants legally within the US.

Leaving cannabis in the control of gangs risks users safety, both physical and mental

Recent research from King’s College London also argues that keeping cannabis criminalised is causing more harm to society than legalising it would.Discussing the results of the study, senior author Dr Marta Di Forti, explained how an unregulated market in the UK increases the potential risk of users’ developing mental health issues due to a dominance of high strength cannabis:

“…we have shown that regular users of high-potency cannabis carry the highest risk for psychotic disorders, compared to those who have never used cannabis.

“The increase of high-potency cannabis on the streets poses a significant hazard to users’ mental health, and reduces their ability to choose more benign types.”

By preventing cannabis users to option to purchase cannabis in legal shops or pharmacies, preventing them the choice between high or low strength cannabis strains, the Government is forcing users, including medical patients, to buy exclusively strong cannabis from dangerous gangs.

There is an alternative though.

Cannabis clubs offer a safer alternative to both recreational and medicinal cannabis users.

Mr. Dhindsa is just one of the growing numbers of PCCs who have visited some of the growing numbers of cannabis clubs in the UK.

“I visited Teesside Cannabis Club because I wanted to see how it was run. The members bring their own cannabis. It isn’t grown on the premises and they’re not dealing or supplying.

“There are pubs and clubs where people go and drink alcohol so why shouldn’t consenting adults be able to use cannabis recreationally and without causing anyone any harm?”

Is it time for the British Government to end its failed war on drugs and legalise or decriminalise cannabis for recreational, as well as true medicinal access, or should we continue allowing dangerous criminal gangs to flood the black market with the strongest form of cannabis?